Lubin’s show

Gilson Lubin’s breezy comedic style and relaxed humility has made him an industry favourite.

Despite boasting comedy credits that many comics would kill for (either onstage or off of it), Gilson Lubin is not one to let ego get in the way of his future accomplishments. A native of Saint Lucia, a Caribbean island country too warm for most of us to imagine, Gilson has been doing jokes in Canada for nearly a decade.

"I began in Toronto doing tons of open mics, and I still drop in on them to this day," he says. While other comedians might frequent smaller venues less as their list of credits grow, Lubin admits that "it takes me longer than some other comedians to develop material, so I need the extra stage time."

Using that stage time wisely, Lubin has developed a breezy, relaxed comedic pace that has helped him attain a variety of impressive nods from the industry; a Canadian Comedy Award for best newcomer in 2003; a contract with MTV Live, on which he acted as a host for two years; numerous festivals, including the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs, the Las Vegas Comedy Festival and Halifax's own (three times now). However, the coup de grace includes a two-night opening spot for everyone's favourite comedic deity: Dave Chappelle. However, like his material, Lubin is nonchalant about this impressive credit. "You have to remember that many people have opened for him. I was just a guy whose name people had heard at that time, and it made the opportunity easier." While some comics would warm up for such a show by vomiting somewhere until being called to the stage, Lubin wasn't shaken by the set. "It wasn't intimidating opening for him so much as it was an honour and good fortune."

When asked if he had other big names in mind to open for, he laughs. "You can't live like that," he says, "cause it could lead to disappointments."

Having toured North America (as well as the Caribbean), Gilson is now ready to broaden his act, intent on joining the current exodus of Canadian comics now settling in the UK.
--Paul Warford